July, 2007 - Beloved HHS basketball and baseball coach Jim Pardue died Sunday, July 22, at his home. He came to HHS from Western Carolina in 1957 to do his student teaching and never left. A college basketball and baseball player, plus a semi-pro baseball player for the local Berkeley Spinners, Pardue took on the HHS head coaching duties in baseball from 1957 to 1978 and basketball from 1965 to 1984. In basketball, Pardue guided his teams to a combined 391-98 record, won 10 District 8 titles and the 1972 state 3-A state championship. He never had a losing season, won 20 or more games 12 times, and had 2 undefeated regular seasons in '78 and '80. "Coach Pardue loved his players, and they responded with a style of basketball marked by respect, discipline and dedication to playing as hard as they could," said Buddy Chapman, sports editor of the Times News from 1966-1980. "He got maximum talent out of his players year after year. Jim Pardue was a real gentleman and a devoted family man and friend." Pardue also found success on the baseball diamond with a state title in '64 and a runner-up finish in '70. Coach Pardue was elected to the HHS Alumni Hall of Fame in 2000.
Perhaps his biggest successes came from his work with the many young people who lives he touched. He was known for his color-blind approach to athletics and coaching. He consistently challanged his students and players to make the most of their lives both on and off the court. Many feel as if Coach Pardue was a second father to them. Coach Pardue leaves behind his loving wife Rosie along with his daughter Kimberly Pardue Peeler, her husband Smith and son Tillman. Tributes can be written to Coach Pardue through the message board of this website or through the registry of Thos. Shephard and Sons at www.thosshephard.com.
Home Page